GLG News by Experts in the Retail Council

Steven DennisPresident and FounderSageBerry Consulting

Sears' downward spiral: No more rabbits to pull out of the hat

May 4, 2011

Sears Holdings continues to report worsening financial results and even more distressing relative competitive performance. Yet their response continues to be a focus on cost-cutting, share buybacks and strategic tweaking that does little to address the reality of how dire their situation truly is.

Cyrus BulsaraPresidentProfessional Consultants & Resources

Speculation over Reckitt Benckiser M&A

April 27, 2011

Analysis of:Speculation over Reckitt Benckiser M&A | www.cosmeticsdesign-europe.com

With the imminent departure of Reckitt Benckiser CEO Bart Becht, speculation is growing over a merger or acquisition bid. But a leading financial analyst believes anti-trust laws may throw a spanner in the works. With a new head at the helm, the company is more likely to be the target of either a merger with Colgate-Palmolive, or the subject of an acquisition by major players such as P&G or Unilever. Anti-Trust laws will not impede Unilever or Colgate-Palmolive !

Cathy StaufferOwnerCathyStaufferConsulting

For the big growth, Best Buy needs to look far beyond their stores

March 24, 2011

Analysis of:Best Buy CEO Dunn Reboots to Win Back Customers From Wal-Mart, Amazon.com | www.bloomberg.com

Best Buy’s greatest point of leverage is not in a new store design, or revamped store assistance, but in getting CE and PC suppliers to bring products to market with use-model and lifestyle changes to help fuel a whole new revenue-pumping cycle of healthy demand, for both Best Buy and the entire industry.

John DominoPrincipalJTD Retail Strategies

Why Supermarkets are Cutting Back on Cap-Ex

March 22, 2011

Analysis of:Retailers Keep Lid on Cap-ex | supermarketnews.com

Supermarket retailers are not cutting back on their capital spending because of a major push to cut prices, but rather due to the poor results that remodels have delivered in the past few years, the lack of viable new store growth opportunities and a desire to build their bank accounts in anticipation of large, attractive acquisition opportunities.

Steven DennisPresident and FounderSageBerry Consulting

Crazy Eddie and Sears’ Hail Mary Pass

February 25, 2011

With years of dismal results and now the hiring of a new CEO with no retail experience, Sears' outlook looks even more questionable. 

Martin BrillManaging PartnerSweetwater Consulting LLC

Apparel and Footwear Shoppers About to Deal With Steep Price Increases

February 15, 2011

Analysis of:Apparel Prices Primed to Rise | www.wwd.com

Commodity cost increases in cotton, wool and leather will increase retail prices for basic items from 5% to 15% in the second half of 2011 into 2012.Many retailers and apparel manufacturers are planning to introduce innovative blends, using synthetics, to keep apparel prices at current levels and seeking out cheaper production facilities.

John DominoPrincipalJTD Retail Strategies

A Few Positive Signs at SUPERVALU

February 7, 2011

Three recent personnel announcements at SUPERVALU are positive signs that the company may be starting to move in the right direction.

Jeff BaronPresidentBaron Consult, Inc.

Furniture & Home Furnishings Profits to Soar???

February 1, 2011

Analysis of:Quarterly Profit Soars for Tempur-Pedic | www.kentucky.com

While Tempur-Pedic International isn't a pure "furniture" play (they make branded bedding), the company's recently released Q4 results demonstrate the impact of cost-cutting on the bottom line when sales begin to recover.

Mitchell WeberVice President of Sales and SourcingHerman Kay

"Apparel Sourcing and the Factors Impacting the Rising Costs"

January 24, 2011

APPAREL SOURCING/ COSTING STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESSJust as recession battered consumers are trickling back to the malls, apparel manufacturers have to make a tough choice. Squeezed by rising prices in raw materials, freight and labor costs, manufacturers/ retailers are fretting they might have to pass on these price increases (or at least a significant portion of them) in order to maintain margins. The initial price increases will go into effect for Sp'2011 and carry through fall and holiday 2011. This cannot come at a worse time….after 3 years of serious discounting and consumer spending on the rise with the economy showing signs of resurgence, this huge cost pressure on the back -ends will put a major dent into retail sales. With consumers now conditioned to buying at a discount, this could set the stage for a war of wills between the retailers and the consumers.WHEN AND WHY DID THESE ISSUES ARISE?For the first time in the past 10 years, apparel manufacturers/ agents started to see prices rising, fabric and trim mills not being able to keep up with demand, delivery's being adversely affected and quality on the decline. When we are discussing this , we need to refer to China as they are the major player in apparel manufacturing and the reason that many of these issues have come to fruition.During the recession(2008/2009), the demand for apparel dropped considerably. Due to this, many of the factories in China were forced to shut down. In addition, the stockpiling of raw cotton levels dropped considerably. With the decreased production capacity, lower cotton output, higher prices of labor and oil(freight costs), power outages, worker strikes, the inevitable started to take place. As a private label men's manufacturer (outerwear, bottoms, swimwear and tops) supplying the major retail chains and wholesalers, i started to feel the affects of these issues in the first quarter of 2010.

John DominoPrincipalJTD Retail Strategies

Will more of Craig Herkert lead to more of the same for SUPERVALU?

January 12, 2011

Analysis of:Supervalu Challenged on 'Transformation' | supermarketnews.com

Based on Craig Herkert’s lack of any substantive plan and strategy for success on yesterday’s investor call, it is time for the SUPERVALU's board to realize that if they keep doing the same things with the same CEO, they are going to get the same results.

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